Coping During Difficult Times

Well I guess I will repeat that one sermon that I think is great for this kind of thing as far as stress etc. goes in case you didn't get around to actually watching it.

LaBèlla said:

How are you supporting friends and loved ones during this time?

Click to expand...

Well when I was a kid I got into tithing. And later on when I was in my early 20s I got into "love offerings" etc. (in the Charismatic movement). Unofficially, I sort of do my own Social Gospel thing. While not directly in the Bible, the notion that "Charity begins at home" I think is definitely there. And this sort of thing works well. The only problem is that doing this, you are too good at times at helping people where they begin to over rely on you too much where you every once in a while need to give them the "I am not your savior, Jesus is" speech. (Because they can obviously wrack up bills much faster than you can budget money for charity)

LaBèlla said:

We’ve endured much in 2020. From the challenges of a global pandemic to racial unrest and protests. Its been a rocky year thus far.

How are you coping with the uncertainty?
What methods have you used to combat stress and anxiety?
How are you supporting friends and loved ones during this time?

Let’s encourage one another.

Yours in His Service,

~Bella

Click to expand...

For me, these challenging times are a good reminder of the three characteristics of samsaric existence: impermanence, suffering, and not-self. This also awakens me to the fact of the inevitability of old age, illness, and death. Such reflections reinforce the practice of the Noble Path & brings me great measures of peace of mind.

It is good to set an example for friends and loved ones, that one can remain internally peaceful, compassionate, and unperturbed in the face of external challenges.

Yourself?

By putting all my trust in Jesus..

Thanks for the post Bella. I have been leading a small prayer group to help keep people encouraged. I also felt it was a good idea to keep the news and twitter to a minimum so that we maintain a peaceful atmosphere at home while unrest is roaming the country.

LaBèlla said:

How are you coping with the uncertainty?

Click to expand...

I believe I'm already long prepared for everything and have accepted all things. IDK. Somehow, I'm not very surprised at the uncertainty and I'm not having to try to cope anything (not that I've become insensitive or any such thing). We were told that sudden destruction and great falling away will come. So we expect all those and a greater tribulation times ahead that the world has never seen before.

But thank God He gives His rest and peace to His children. I see that great distress brings in a lot of opportunities and changes/revival, preparing the ground for sowing that is needed for much harvest.

LaBèlla said:

What methods have you used to combat stress and anxiety?

Click to expand...

Time alone with God, in prayer, word and worship is the only thing that works for me in combating stress and anxiety. Strengthening my inner man, growing in faith, wisdom and understanding is all it takes. Having a heavenly perspective and a willingness to see and face the war in the spiritual realms is helpful.

LaBèlla said:

How are you supporting friends and loved ones during this time?

Click to expand...

Trying to reach out, making myself available, listening to them and comforting them by the Word of God and through prayer.

Thanks for the post Bella. I have been leading a small prayer group to help keep people encouraged. I also felt it was a good idea to keep the news and twitter to a minimum so that we maintain a peaceful atmosphere at home while unrest is roaming the country.

God has gotten his people through worse, and he still keeps his promises.

LaBèlla said:

We’ve endured much in 2020. From the challenges of a global pandemic to racial unrest and protests. Its been a rocky year thus far.

How are you coping with the uncertainty?
What methods have you used to combat stress and anxiety?
How are you supporting friends and loved ones during this time?

Let’s encourage one another.

Yours in His Service,

~Bella

Click to expand...

Generally focusing your perspective on the here and now....centering your view on the moment....works wonders.

Think "am I ok right now?" If yes, take a moment to focus on everything going right right now.

That's the best advice I can give. It's about perspective. Worrying about what is distant and uncontrollable seems to be the cause of anxiety for most. Focus on the immediate and what can be dealt with.

Humor and maybe a little embrace of desensitization.